Jon Knochenmus

Brian Knochenmus

Dr. Hedges holds a Ph. D. in Animal Science and a Masters of Science in Animal Science from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from the University of Delaware.

Dr. Hedges has 30 years of experience. Dr. Hedges is a leader in practical digestible amino acid formulation for swine; he developed a computer feeding model based on lean gain, feed intake and the sex of the hog. At Ralco, Dr. Hedges is responsible for matters relating to swine technical sales and for training our sales people in areas of swine nutrition.

Dr. Knott holds a Ph. D. in Animal Science (Swine Nutrition) from the University of Minnesota, a Masters of Science in Animal Science (Swine Nutrition) from the University of Minnesota, and a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science, emphasizing Animal Production, from North Dakota State University.

Dr. Knott has experience as a Research Assistant at the University of Minnesota and the NDSU Swine Research Facility. His specialty is Swine.

Dr. Fent holds a Ph.D. in Animal Science (Swine Nutrition) from the University of Missouri-Columbia, a Masters of Science (Swine Nutrition) from Oklahoma State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science (production emphasis) from Oklahoma State University.

Dr. Fent has experience as a Research Specialist and Research Assistant at the University of Missouri-Columbia and Oklahoma State University. His specialty is Swine.

Dr. Evelsizer received his DVM from Iowa State University. He has been involved with veterinary practice in Fairmont, MN for more than 25 years, specializing in swine. He completed graduate classes in swine medicine at the University of Minnesota and has hands-on experience in swine management and ownership.

Dr. Mellencamp holds a B.S. in Microbiology from Ohio State University. Dr. Mellencamp earned a Master of Science Degree in Microbiology from Miami University. She later earned her Ph.D. in Immunology from Miami University. She then continued with a post-doctoral fellowship focusing on infectious diseases and immunology at Creighton University and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Omaha, Neb.

At Ralco Nutrition, Inc., Mellencamp will be extensively involved in high-quality research and development of products and combinations of products that improve the welfare and productivity of livestock. Because Mellencamp is not a nutritionist, she sheds a unique perspective on the animal nutrition industry.

Mr. Cabrera is native of the Dominican Republic. He holds a Bachelor of Science from the Dominican Republic and a Master of Science in Animal Nutrition from the University of Missouri – Columbia.

Mr. Cabrera directs all Research Product Validation, Product Development, and Diet Formulation and is developing Ralco’s International Business. His specialty is Pre-weaning Nutrition & Management.

Mr. Vignes holds a Masters of Science in Animal Science from the University of Wisconsin, a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from North Dakota State University, and an AAS in Animal Science from the University of Minnesota, Crookston.

Mr. Vignes is the president and owner of Advanced Birthright Nutrition, Inc. He developed Advanced Birthright Nutrition Baby Pig Milk, which is known as the best baby pig milk replacer in the United States. Mr. Vignes has given Ralco exclusive rights to market his products. He assists Ralco in selling Advanced Birthright Nutrition Products and training sales people. Mr. Vignes is also the creator of the Genesis Diet, which is the first successful high milk, high nutrient dense diet in the swine industry.

Dr. Davis was born in Riverside, California and reared in Texas. Dr. Davis holds a Ph. D. in Animal Science (Ruminant Nutrition) from the University of Tennessee and a Bachelor of Science in Animal Husbandry from Abilene Christian University.

Dr. Davis has experience as a University Professor, Assistant Professor and 7 years as an Area Livestock Specialist with Texas A & M. At Ralco, Dr. Davis oversees sales and provides technical support for Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arkansas, as well as being on call to other opportunities for Ralco in other parts of the country.

Dr. Hill received his M.S. and Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University specializing in Feedlot and Receiving Cattle nutrition.

He has 8 years of industry experience in consulting, ration formulation, research and product development. His focus at Ralco is to provide support to sales and lead the development of the beef product lines and help develop a distribution system for the specialty products.

Dr. Dvorak holds a Ph.D. in Ruminant Nutrition from the University of Illinois, a Masters of Science in Ruminant Nutrition from the University of Illinois, and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Nebraska.

Dr. Dvorak has over 30 years of experience in ruminant nutrition. At Ralco, Dr. Dvorak assists the Ruminant Nutrition Team, working out of Overland Park, KS.

Dr. Tsinas is a native of Greece. He holds a Ph. D. in Swine Health and Management and a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.

Dr. Tsinas has a long experience as a researcher, swine practitioner and consultant of different pharmaceutical companies in Europe. He was engaged in the development of the Regano line of products from the very early stages, and he is currently the technical director of Ecopharm Hellas S.A. of Greece. At Ralco, Dr. Tsinas provides technical support for all Regano products in swine, poultry and ruminants.

Widmer adds her ability to conduct detailed swine nutrition research, and her extensive knowledge of swine nutrition to Ralco’s Swine Technical Service.

Widmer’s experience is a combination of hands-on knowledge gained from years of work at her family’s sow farm near New Prague, Minn, and an outstanding Animal Science education at South Dakota State University, Brookings. Widmer earned her B.S. in Animal Science and went on to recently complete her M.S. in Animal Science at the university. Widmer worked as both a teaching assistant and graduate research assistant at SDSU.